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This study tests the association between time pressure, training activities and dysfunctional auditor behaviour in small audit firms. Based on survey responses from 235 certified auditors working in small audit firms in Sweden, the analysis shows that perceived time pressure is positively associated with dysfunctional auditor behaviour, while the level of participation in training activities such as workshops and seminars is negatively associated with dysfunctional auditor behaviour. These findings suggest that audit quality is at risk when auditors experience high levels of time pressure but also that auditors who frequently take part in training activities to a lesser extent engage in dysfunctional auditor behaviour.

Purpose – The paper aims to investigate audit and non-audit fees during the global financial crisis (GFC) in an environment that is relatively sparsely regulated with regard to the provision of non-audit services. Design/methodology/approach – Audit and non-audit fees were studied during pre-GFC (2006-2007), GFC (2008-2009) and post-GFC (2010-2011) periods. Findings – During the GFC, Swedish companies benefited from an increase in sales and total assets, although return on assets decreased. In this setting, the auditors charged higher audit fees compared with the pre-GFC period, despite the absence of increased audit reporting lags. A significant increase in audit fees continued during the post-crisis periods with auditors paying more attention to companies’ leverage and whether they report losses. At the same time, the companies spent less on non-audit services. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited to companies from Sweden, which was less affected by the GFC. Practical implications – GFC auditors are able to charge higher audit fees to public companies including those that are well-performing during financial crises, and they are also able to increase the audit fees in the post-crisis period. This implies that auditors put in extra audit effort to compensate for higher risk, or that they are good at negotiating prices with their clients. However, non-audit fees decreased during the same period, implying that the demand for these services drops under financial instability. Originality/value – The study highlights auditors’ behavior in the liberal economic environment and it studies both audit fees and non-audit fees before GFC, during GFC and after the GFC. The GFC appears to have provided audit firms the opportunity to extract higher audit fees. Our findings are of interest to managers, auditors and regulators.

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